Synthesis and in vitro anti-hepatitis B virus activities of 4-aryl-6-chloro-quinolin-2-one and 5-aryl-7-chloro-1,4-benzodiazepine derivatives.

A series of 4-aryl-6-chloro-quinolin-2-ones and 5-aryl-7-chloro-1,4-benzodiazepine were synthesized and assayed for their in vitro anti-hepatitis B virus activities and cytotoxicities for the first time. Some of the tested compounds were active against HBsAg and HBeAg secretion in Hep G2.2.15 cells. Compound 5c showed IC(50) of 0.074 and 0.449 mM on HBsAg and HBeAg secretions, respectively, which were 10 times higher than that of its analog 4c and led to better selective index (SI) values (SI=23.2 and 3.4, respectively).